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FAI Cup Preview: Skerries Town -v- Waterford

Noel Hunt scored his first Waterford goal against Cork City last week.
Credit: Hugh de Paor

SKERRIES TOWN

Skerries Town are into bonus territory as they welcome Premier Division high-fliers Waterford to Skerries Rugby Club on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

Skerries consolidated their place in the third tier of the Leinster Senior League last year under manager Alan Sweeney.

After a good run in the FAI Intermediate Cup last year, they travelled to Tallaght and beat Kilnamanagh 2-1 in the qualifying round.

Skerries beat Monaghan United during their last FAI Cup run 15 years ago. Sweeney was player-manager that day, but he's in no doubt that his side face a much tougher ask this time around.

“We just want to go out and give a good account of ourselves,” said Sweeney.

“We know these are full-time professionals. They've a lot of lads coming back from England. I see Noel Hunt signed for them.

“They're going to be very strong. They might give a few fringes players a run thinking they'll have enough to beat us, but if we're in the game for an hour on our own pitch, big crowd, we'll make it difficult enough for them.”

WATERFORD

Waterford will look to put a three-game losing streak in the league behind them when they travel to Leinster Senior League outfit Skerries.

The Blues have lost all three games since the summer break with defeats to Shamrock Rovers, Limerick and Cork City eroding their seven-point lead in third position.

Alan Reynolds' side led Cork last week through Noel Hunt but they eventually lost out to goals from Garry Buckley and Graham Cummins.

The cup, therefore, provides the ideal opportunity for the Premier Division's surprise package to get back to winning ways.

“We want a good cup run,” said Reynolds.

“People might see we’re playing a non-League of Ireland team but we won’t be underestimating them.

“They’ve got to the first round on merit, they've seen how we play and we’ll expect them to have a go at us.

"We’re not taking them lightly and we’ll be approaching it as we do for every game.

“We’ve a really competitive squad so the competition for places is strong and we’ll utilise that this weekend.”

Cory Galvin and Derek Daly miss out with injury, and Kenny Browne is suspended, while Dave Webster is doubtful.

New signing Renars Rode is available, however, after his international clearance came through.

Referee: xxx

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Waterford were knocked out in the first round last season as Shelbourne came to the RSC and were convincing 3-0 winners.

Skerries last competed in the cup in 2003, beating Monaghan United in round two before falling 3-0 to Bohemians in the following round.

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